Efficient Algorithms for Searching the Minimum Information Partition in Integrated Information Theory

The ability to integrate information in the brain is considered to be an essential property for cognition and consciousness. Integrated Information Theory (IIT) hypothesizes that the amount of integrated information ($\Phi$) in the brain is related to the level of consciousness. IIT proposes that to quantify information integration in a system as a whole, integrated information should be measured across the partition of the system at which information loss caused by partitioning is minimized, called the Minimum Information Partition (MIP). The computational cost for exhaustively searching for the MIP grows exponentially with system size, making it difficult to apply IIT to real neural data. It has been previously shown that if a measure of $\Phi$ satisfies a mathematical property, submodularity, the MIP can be found in a polynomial order by an optimization algorithm. However, although the first version of $\Phi$ is submodular, the later versions are not. In this study, we empirically explore to what extent the algorithm can be applied to the non-submodular measures of $\Phi$ by evaluating the accuracy of the algorithm in simulated data and real neural data. We find that the algorithm identifies the MIP in a nearly perfect manner even for the non-submodular measures. Our results show that the algorithm allows us to measure $\Phi$ in large systems within a practical amount of time

A method using the same light sensor for detecting multiple events near a window in crimes involving intrusion into a home

To combine robots with many sensor nodes on the sensor network is important for improving home security. To reduce the cost of such a system, it is desirable that each sensor node is very cheap and very small. The three events which occur to the window and the key when a thief attempts to intrude into a house are conventionally detected by different sensors. This article proposes a method of detecting all three events by using a simple light sensor consisting of an infrared LED and a photodetector. In the experiments, the light sensor shows the characteristic tendencies that can detect each event. This fact indicates that our proposal can realize one sensor node more efficiently than using different sensors.This work was presented in part at the 15th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, February 4–6, 201

A numeric reading system for digital meter without I/O interface

Recently, measuring instruments that automatically record measurement values by using the communication function of PC and RS232C have been widely used. However, there are a lot of measuring instruments that cannot communicate with an external instrument at present. Also, the ones that have the communication function are very expensive. The system that reads the instruction value from the image is by taking a picture of the measuring instrument with a camera. However, because the specification of the target measuring instrument has been limited, versatility of this system is low. Therefore, this paper proposes a strong numerical recognition system that doesn\u27t depend on the model of a digital measuring instrument. The experiments showed that the proposed method has the characteristics of fast speed, efficiency and strong anti-interference

Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis with Pitting Edema Syndrome in a Chronic Hemodialysis Patient

A 75-year-old male who was undergoing chronic hemodialysis developed abrupt-onset pitting edema and pain in the dorsum of both hands and feet. Biochemical analysis disclosed increased C-reactive protein, and negative rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody. Radiological examination showed no bony erosion. Computed tomography and gallium scintigraphy revealed no active infection or neoplasms. The clinical diagnosis was remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome. The pitting edema and inflammatory response quickly subsided after low-dose prednisolone therapy. This case demonstrates that RS3PE syndrome could be a differential diagnosis in elderly patients undergoing dialysis who develop pitting edema and joint pain

Calidad de vida laboral y bienestar psicológico en tiempos de pandemia COVID -19 en los trabajadores de un centro de salud, Huamanga, 2022

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo general determinar la relación entre Calidad de Vida Laboral y Bienestar Psicológico en trabajadores de un centro de Salud de Huamanga. Fue una investigación de tipo básico, de diseño no experimental, de nivel correlacional y enfoque cuantitativo, la muestra fue compuesta por la población total que fue de 180 trabajadores de un Centro de Salud, se aplicaron los instrumentos: Escala de Evaluación de Calidad de Vida Laboral de Easton y Van Laar (2012) y la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico de Ryff adaptada por Pérez (2017). Los resultados arrojaron un p-valor equivalente a ,769 para el objetivo general y valores similares para los objetivos específicos. Por lo que se concluye que no existe relación entre la variable Calidad de Vida laboral y Bienestar Psicológico, de la misma manera que no existe relación entre Calidad de Vida Laboral y las dimensiones de Bienestar Psicológico

Compressive Behavior of Open-Cell Titanium Foams with Different Unit Cell Geometries

Mechanical properties of open-cell titanium foams with different cell geometries (truncated octahedron and rhombic dodecahedron cells) were examined through compressive tests. These foams were manufactured through the electron beam melting (EBM) process. The compressive behavior depends on the porosity, cell geometry and the cell orientation. Titanium foams with truncated octahedron cells showed high strength compared to those of rhombic dodecahedron cells. This is due to the short cell edges in truncated octahedron cells. In addition, the parallel and oblique cell edges against the compression direction are effective to increase the compressive strength. Macroscopic shear bands caused by ordered cell geometry were observed in some titanium foams

Laser managed in the treatment of hypomineralized occlusal defects in teeth enamel affected by molar-incisor hypomineralization: A randomized controlled clinical study / Uso do laser no tratamento dos defeitos oclusais hipomineralizados em esmalte de dentes afetados pela hipomineralização molar-incisivo: estudo clínico controlado randomizado

Background: Nowadays, observed a growing rate of teeth affected by molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). These teeth can present persistent inflammation of the pulp, increasing the dentin hypersensitivity and consequently, directly affecting the cleaning of the affected tooth and contributing to the progression of caries lesions. Aims: This study aims to compare the use of diode laser (DL) irradiation (970nm) with the application of a glass ionomer-based sealant (GIC) for the most clinically and cost-effective strategy for the management of first permanent molars affected with MIH. Methods: This is a two-arm, parallel-group, patient randomized superiority-controlled trial, children present MIH molars will be selected and treated either with the application of DL or with the application of GIC-based sealants. Baseline and follow-up evaluations will be assessed through clinical examination and analysis of dental impressions that will be carried out of the affected teeth. The outcomes evaluated will be: 1) presence of post-eruptive breakdown and/or atypical dentin caries lesions, 2) retention rate of sealants 3) parent’s satisfaction, 4) children’s hypersensitivity 5) child-self-reported discomfort 6) impact on the quality of life and 7) the incremental cost-effectiveness. Evaluations will be performed by one trained evaluator after one week, and 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Multilevel statistical analyzes will be conducted to establish the ability of DL treatment compared to sealing, in joining to plausible factors associated with this efficacy. Discussion: We expect that this study contributes to the best scientific proof concerning the most cost-effective treatment for permanent molars affected with MIH

Elastic properties of highly anisotropic thin poly(propylene) foams

In this letter, elastic properties of highly anisotropic cellular poly(propylene) films are reported. The material shows peculiar elastic properties compared to other foams in the literature. The data is displayed as the relative Young's modulus $E^*/E_s$ versus relative density $\rho^*/\rho_s$. Almost all the data from the literature are located on the region $E^*/E_s=(\rho^*/\rho_s)^n$ with $1\le n\le6$. The introduced material on the other hand have lower relative Young's modulus at high relative densities, $n\ge6$